As part of its post-implementation review process, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has opened consultations on two regulations: one for 2011 plastic kitchenware regulations and one for 2012 food contact materials regulations. Post-implementation reviews are FSA’s way of ensuring that previously implemented rules are still relevant and have been effective, and they must be conducted at least every five years.

Both consultations are open until November 9, 2023.

Kitchenware Regulations

The Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) Regulation came into force on July 1, 2011 to facilitate the execution and enforcement of an EU regulation that provided additional official control measures on imports of melamine and polyamide (nylon) kitchenware; thereby reducing concerning levels of non-compliant melamine and polyamide kitchenware products that were being imported from China and Hong Kong. After the UK left the EU, the existing legislation was retained in British law.

FSA notes that the Kitchenware Regulations were reviewed to fix inoperability arising from Brexit, once the transition period ended. The Kitchenware Regulations were subject to amendment following Brexit to fix parts of the legislation that could no longer function as intended.

Food Contact Materials Regulations

The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2012 revoke, remake, and consolidate all implementing and enforcement provisions on food contact materials that were previously contained in three different legislations. The 2012 regulations implemented the requirements of several EU directives, which have been retained in British law post-Brexit. The 2012 regulations were also reviewed to fix inoperability arising from the UK leaving the EU.